★★★★★
Lodge
Balule Game Reserve
9.8/10

Pondoro Game Lodge

Pondoro is set on the banks of the Olifants River inside the 50 000 ha Balule Private Game Reserve inside the Greater Kruger National Park (Game drive traverse 30 000 acres). Pondoro has three architecturally designed chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each chalet has been beautifully decorated with an African theme. All chalets have en-suite bathrooms (with a shower and bath overlooking the river), lounge area, air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck. All our suites are air-conditioned and architecturally designed offering modern comforts in an ancient setting. Each suite is provided with a private wooden deck, Jacuzzi, lounge area and an outside shower for those who are adventurous at heart. A fusion of traditional African and modern European cuisine can be enjoyed on the wooden deck overlooking the river. Guests can taste fine wine from Pondoro’s extensive wine cellar or grab a snack at the bar. Meals and drinks included. Revitalize your mind, body and soul with classic spa treatments which range from a glass covered steam room, a spa bath under the wide African sky to a massage in the privacy of your room or visit our fitness centre. Morning and evening safari drives on open-topped Land Rovers, bird-watching and nature walks are included. Experienced guides will not only use their knowledge and bushcraft to try and show you the Big Five and other plains game, but they will do their best to paint memories of an Africa that will never fade away. A nature walk with an armed guide would add the thrill of encountering animals on foot.

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.8)
Breakfast info: Continental, Full English/Irish, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Buffet, Breakfast to go
Free private parking available on-site

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Kids

Children older than 12 years are welcome.

Dogs

Pets are not allowed.

Address

Balule Nature Reserve, off R40, 1380 Balule Game Reserve, South Africa, Balule Game Reserve, South Africa

Facilities

Outdoor swimming pool Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle Free parking Fitness centre Room service Free WiFi Spa and wellness centre Bar Superb breakfast

Gallery

a bathroom counter with a sink and a mirror at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a table with a bottle of wine and a glass at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a bath tub in a bathroom with a window at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a large wooden tub in a bathroom with a window at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a mirror in a room with a chair and a lamp at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

three wicker chairs and a hat sitting on a deck at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a bedroom with a bed with a table and two chairs at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a living room with two chairs and a coffee table at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

a bath tub sitting on a deck next to a tree at Pondoro Game Lodge in Balule Game Reserve

More photos on Booking

Reviews

Ludovica 10/10

Italy 🇮🇹

The best stay we could ever ask for

Pros: Staying in Pondoro was the absolute highlight of our South African trip! All the staff was amazing and contributed to the amazing experience that we had. A special thanks to Solly and Elson who showed us the best they could in each game drive and successfully made us see the Big 5, and another thank you to Gift, Patricia, Dee and Ivonne. The rooms were fantastic and food and drinks were amazing!

Adele 10/10

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

A hidden gem

Pros: Beautiful location. Intimate and private with only 8 rooms. Comfy beds. Large shower. Staff amazing. Food wonderful. Game drives out of this world.

Cons: Could have done with maybe a little more maintenance in the chalets but that is me being very picky!

Tom 10/10

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

If we could give it 11/10 we would

Pros: The service, the staff and the facilities was exceptional but nothing in comparison to the incredible game drives. We would like to thank Dewald and Andries for the most incredible experience. A truly special place.

Andrew 10/10

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Nothing short of spectacular

Pros: Absolutely everything - we have stayed in many game lodges and can not fault this one - super location and staff who could not do enough for you. Stunning rooms and over looking the olifants rivers with elephants, hippos, crocodiles and elephants a few hundred meters away

Sandra 10/10

Canada 🇨🇦

Outstanding Safari Experience

Pros: Everything, from minute you arrived until you, the staff were exceptional, beautiful lodge, amazing food sbd tge game drives were outstanding.

Cons: We found the most of transfer from Airport yo Lodge to be expensive.

Stephen 10/10

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Unbelievable. It was a truly a magical experience. The care taken by all the staff was amazing. We will return

Pros: Everything. It is well laid out and right on the river

Cons: This is as much as we could come up with. No hair conditioner

Go 10/10

Netherlands 🇳🇱

perfect place to enjoy safari

Pros: perfect hospitality by whole team ranger and tracker, Shadrack and Dion, worked amazingly and tried thier best to show us as much as possible during Safari nice river view from room, wild animals sometimes coming by

Lawry 10/10

Australia 🇦🇺

Lovely environment with super friendly staff, the Safari Guide and Tracker were excellent.

Pros: Excellent choice on all menus. Location was excellent

Tanya 10/10

Australia 🇦🇺

Exceptional experience.

Pros: Exceptional experience. Staff were friendly & welcoming and really could not do enough for us. High standard of facilities. Luxury accommodation. Fantastic location on banks of Oliphant River. Animals able to wander through the property on their journey to/from the river. Our guide & tracker were highly skilled and so knowledgeable. Every day was different.

Andrea 10/10

Switzerland 🇨🇭

Loved it

Pros: it was great - very friendly staff who went out of their way to fulfill every wish. the gamedrives were sensational with a super professional team. the food was great. we enjoyed every moment and will remember the birthday party for a long time ;) THANK YOU very much